Stephen - Stopped Gambling 1st November 2019

No stopping me now for I have seen the light.

Gamble free days and snoozing like a log all night

Them happy days are here again and I am loving it all

Brain and body get along and party with my heart and soul

Enjoyed a good night tonight at a Charity Variety Show. The leading act was a local band (Nobody And The Straightheads) composed of 5 people who are in recovery from drug & alcohol addiction. They were absolutely brilliant and through music, have succeeded in turning their lives around. 

The other two acts were a young local female singer/guitarist and an Algerian refugee also singer/guitarist and they were both excellent.

I was really chuffed because they let me read out a rhyme I had written about an alcoholic whose wife walked out on him. It is funny in places and tells the story of his recovery and how he finally gets back together with his wife. Everybody clapped enthusiastically which made me feel real happy.

This sounds like a great evening Stephen. It does me good to see you happy. 

Take care of you. 

Drama x

Lovely to read Stephen.. Boo ?

sounds like a good night stephen! what you upto this weekend ? 

Thank you Drama, Boo and Lisa for visiting my diary.

Today I am finishing off my Christmas preparations by writing and posting cards and getting a couple more presents.

Finances are looking a bit iffy so I am not going to spend anything this weekend. I promised I would join friends at Salsa on Monday and am meeting people on Tuesday for a Christmas get-together but other than that I will keep what I have for going to visit sister and her family over Christmas and New Year.

Feeling very pleased with my 42 Days GF.

During that time I have mended the broken friendship with my sister and have started socialising again with friends who I had neglected. 

Everything that needed to be paid has been paid and that feels good.

I’m so glad you’ve sorted things out with your sister, and glad you’re feeling good! good idea keeping your cash for when you go visiting ? 

Thank you Lisa.  

Hello Diary Day 42 GF has been good but I am exhausted.

To make sure my sofa did not drift off into outer space I have spent quite a few hours today weighing it down with occasional shifts in posture from left side to right side, a few visits to the kitchen for food and drinks plus a visit to the shops.

It is a hard life but I don't like to complain.

Stephen, it it lovey to read about your journey. I am two days behind you . I hope never to catch you, keep going strong  x

I really enjoyed your scrabble message.   Thank you ?

Thank you Murlo.

I promise to do my very best to stay 2 days ahead of you and will join you in a game of Scrabble and a Salsa at the top of the gamble free mountain. 

The only way is up.

That would make my day Stephen  ?

Hi Stephen 

Thanks so much for posting on my thread, you have always been a constant source of kindness as wisdom. I don't post much these days but do try and catch with diaries every few days. I don't really understand the new format of the forum! Congratulations on your GF days you're slaying it. Take care S x

Thank-you so much for staying up late to wish me a Happy Birthday. I can honestly say you have made me very happy. NOW! GO TO BED! 

Love you Stephen. 

Love from Sherrie (AKA DramaLlama) xxx

Many thanks for posting in my diary:

Murlo..... Congratulations on 41 days GF. Hope you and hubby are having a lovely weekend.

Sharon ..... Congratulations on more than 1000 days without gambling. I appreciate you don't post so much on the diaries nowadays and that is understandable but I would like to thank you for all the love, compassion and support you have given to your gamcare friends over the last few years. You are my superhero.

DramaLlama .... Congratulations on your birthday Sherrie. I hope you have a super duper fun filled weekend celebrating your special day. Obviously you cannot give me a slice of your cake so I have purchased a small one to have later with a cup of tea.

Murlo Sharon & Sherrie are ladies on a quest

To free themselves from tyranny and they all do their best

Determined Defiant and Smiling with an eye on the road ahead

Peaceful Calm & Grateful at night when asleep in their bed

Hello Diary.

It is 44 days since my last gamble and I feel relieved and happy to be able to write on here that I am having no urges to gamble whatsoever.

To be perfectly honest I detest gambling at this moment in time for the damage it causes to peoples lives and cannot imagine for one second that I will put myself, my friends and my loved ones through that upset ever again.

I ask myself what has changed to make me feel this way?

1/ A massive deterrent was when they put another zero on the roulette machines. I couldn't win against one zero so against two I knew had no chance.

2/ I only carry between £5 & £20 in my wallet and make all purchases, whenever possible, (under £30) with debit card (contactless payment). 

3/ Getting out and about more and socialising with friends again.

4/ Keeping reasonably fit and doing a bit of yoga, pilates, and breathing exercises.

5/ Returned to Salsa dancing last week after a few months out with a foot problem but intend to continue with the dancing and will just be careful I don't overdo it.

I will continue to write on my diary and the 100 day challenge but will stop posting on other people's diaries because I worry that I might unwittingly write a post that may have an adverse effect on another person's recovery

Stephen